Shipping Container Cleaning and Upcoming Auctions

Spring is just around the corner, and that means it’s a good time for spring cleaning. Houses, cars, boats, and your used shipping container can benefit from a little maintenance. Luckily, the cost to maintain that shipping container you’re using as a storage unit is pretty low (if you even need to spend anything at all!). For starters, once the snow clears there’re are really only a few basic things to look at when checking out that shipping container. Checking the exterior for rust and paint flaking, checking the condition of the interior and the floor, and making sure the mechanical parts are lubricated.

The easiest place to start is with the exterior of the container. By simply walking around the exterior of the container you can inspect for any flaking or peeling paint, and any signs of potential rust or corrosion. If there are weeds or climbing vines you will want to consider removing them. As with any structure, climbing vines such as Boston ivy have a way of finding how to grow inside/around/through things that may cause problems later on. If you see any spots of corrosion it is good practice to clean it off with a wire brush or steel wool and repaint that section of the container. Here are our other ideas and tips on how to paint a shipping container.

The inside of your shipping container can be more difficult to clean if you have it loaded with things, especially if it's loaded with long term storage items. However, it’s still not difficult to complete the task with minimal effort. Using a flashlight and a broom with stiff bristles, start at the back of the container and scan, left to right, as you move toward the open end of the container. Be sure to inspect the corners where the walls meet the floor. Condensation can build up over the winter, run down the walls, and collect in these areas. Shipping container floors are designed with this type of build-up in mind, however it never hurts to hasten the evaporation process by sweeping the water away. As you scan be on the lookout for any signs of damage to the floor. Make note of any gouges and especially any areas that could be prone to decay or rot prematurely. If you do find such areas, make note of them and if they appear to have grown you may want to remove and replace that section of the flooring. Hopefully, nothing will be found and you’ll only have to deal with the dust and dirt that you’ve swept from the far end of the container.

Finally, inspect the mechanical parts of the container to make sure they’re moving easily and haven’t been damaged by being exposed to the elements. Hinges, locking gear, lock boxes, and locks spend 100% of their time in the sun, wind, rain, and snow and may benefit from a healthy coat of grease or lubricant such as WD-40.

Keeping your new or used shipping container well maintained will extend it’s life by many years, and the time and cost involved with it the maintenance are very minimal. Unlike other structures, there is very little that can go wrong with a container and by giving a small amount attention and a cheap investment in materials the interior, exterior, and mechanical parts of a used shipping container will keep your possessions safe and secure for a long period of time.

Shipping Container Auctions

If you are a container dealer, or retail buyer in the market for used shipping containers, ContainerAuction.com will be hosting several real time auctions over the coming weeks. Containers will be available in Chicago, Illinois, Minneapolis, Minnesota, Cleveland, Cincinnati, and Columbus Ohio, and Louisville, Kentucky. Special deals, cheap containers, and aftermarket container parts will also be made available in the auctions. For questions or more information email Sales@ContainerAuction.com